Everything you need to know about Ubud. What to do, where to stay, and how to get around in this famous region of Bali.
Ubud is a region in the center of Bali and one of the most visited places on the island. This region is known for all the nature that surrounds it, from the many waterfalls to the huge rice fields.
In this article, we'll give you all the tips you need to know about Ubud to make the most of your stay here.
See also: Top 10 waterfalls in Bali |
Note: in this article you'll find some links to different partners in the travel sector. All of them are trustworthy and if you use one of them to book an experience or stay, for example, you're helping us to monetise the work we do on this project.
Where to sleep
How to get around Ubud
What to do in Ubud
How do we stay connected to the world while traveling
When traveling outside Europe we never use our European service to stay connected to the Internet, the prices are too high! Alternatively, there are two options: buy a SIM card from the country you're visiting or buy an eSIM.
We've used both and both work well.
We always use the Airalo eSIM. You just need an eSIM-compatible mobile phone and buy the card via the Airalo app. Simple and easy!
How many days to stay in Ubud
Being located in a more central area, Ubud is the ideal starting point for most of the places you can't miss in Bali.
There's so much to do in this area, we recommend a minimum of 3 days to get to know Ubud's main sights. If you have more days available, we recommend that you stay as long as you can.
Where to sleep
In Ubud, there is a huge range of accommodation on offer, from the famous villas we see on social media to the modest guesthouses for those on a tighter budget.
We had the opportunity to have both experiences and we can say that both were equally unique.
Luxury hotels:
- Kamandalu
Perhaps the most romantic hotel we've ever stayed in. The whole place is incredibly beautiful, with rice fields, a lake, infinity pools... We stayed in a villa with a pool and two bedrooms and we loved it, it felt like Kamandalu was completely isolated from the rest of the world. Kamandalu also offers a huge variety of romantic experiences, from boat trips, candlelight dinners, floating breakfasts, flower baths, etc. If you're planning your honeymoon in Bali, Kamandalu is certainly an excellent choice.
- The Udaya Resorts & Spa
The Udaya is a resort with a very romantic, family atmosphere. It has various room options from suites to villas with pools.
The resort offers different options such as a romantic candlelight dinner, a floating breakfast and every morning you can start the day with a completely free Yoga session.
We had a marvelous experience at the Kaveri Spa, where we tried the "Midnight Bath", in which a bath with various citrus fruits and flowers was prepared for us. We left completely relaxed and smelling great!
Low budget:
In Ubud, you can find several cheap guesthouses. These accommodations are usually also the space of the owner and his family, where they only rent out a few rooms to tourists.
And in Bali they have a unique characteristic: these places look like real temples.
- Sudiana House
When we arrived in Ubud we stayed at Sudiana House and we liked it very much. It's located in the city center and you can get around on foot. The price is very affordable and breakfast is included.
- Raditya House
During our last few days in Ubud, we opted to stay away from the hustle and bustle and stayed at Raditya House. It's about 5 minutes by motorbike from the center and was the ideal place to rest and recharge after a full day of visiting rice fields and waterfalls!
How to get around Ubud
There are several options for getting around Ubud: hire a private driver, take a guided tour, or hire a motorbike.
- Private diver
This is the most expensive solution, but the ideal one if you don't feel comfortable driving a motorbike on Bali's roads (don't do it if you don't have experience). The advantage of this option compared to a guided tour is that you can have a flexible itinerary and only go to the points that interest you.
You can try to find this service at the stalls in the center of Ubud, at the hotel where you're staying, or book this experience through GetYourGuide (see below).
- Guided tour
This option ends up being cheaper than hiring a driver, but with a pre-defined itinerary that you'll probably share with other people. On GetYourGuide you'll find lots of options, depending on the places you most want to visit.
- Grab/Gojek
Grab and Gojek are similar apps to Uber in Europe. They are available in most of the major tourist centers and are an option for getting around Bali. But be careful because there are some places where this transport is not allowed and you may have to opt for a local taxi.
- Rent a scooter
It's our favorite solution and the cheapest. Wherever we go, we love to hire a scooter to give us the freedom to go wherever and whenever we want.
But beware, this option is only viable if you're comfortable driving a scooter. Bali's roads are chaotic and it's not at all the ideal place to learn to ride a motorbike!
We rented a scooter at Ubud scooter rental, which cost 4€/day. The motorbike wasn't new, but it rode well and at the same time we were supporting a local family business! We arranged everything by WhatsApp and it was very easy.
Did you know that most accidents in Bali are caused by tourists driving motorbikes with no experience? If you've never ridden a motorbike before, Bali is not the place to start. There's a lot of traffic and the roads are tight. And you don't want to spoil your trip, do you? If you're comfortable driving a motorbike, we recommend that you get an International Driving Permit before you come to avoid problems with the police in the event of a stop-and-go operation. |
What to do in Ubud
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
Right in the center of Ubud is the famous Monkey Forest, one of the most popular places in Bali. This place is home to more than 1000 monkeys, there are no bars or cages here, and the animals roam freely. Even in the streets near the forest, you'll find several monkeys, one of whom even stole the plastic wrapping from our snack.
When you visit the Monkey Forest there are a few rules you must follow, monkeys are wild animals and therefore unpredictable. Throughout the forest there are signs with some precautions you should take to stay safe, such as not feeding the monkeys, respecting their space, not shouting, not touching, and not looking them in the eye, they will take this as a sign of aggression.
As time goes by, the monkeys become comfortable with the presence of people and like to steal things, especially shiny objects and food, so be careful with your belongings and don't take any food with you because they'll realize and won't rest until they've found it.
For those who have never seen monkeys, we recommend a visit to the Monkey Forest, which takes approximately 2 hours.
Schedule: Open every day from 9 am to 5 pm Prices: Weekdays Weekend Adult 80k 100k Kid 60k 80k |
|---|
Tegalalang Rice Terraces
One of the images that most characterises Ubud is the countless rice terraces. The most visited are those of Tegalalang, which is about 20 minutes from the center of Ubud.
To avoid major confusion we recommend going early, we went at sunrise, there was hardly anyone around and we managed to catch the first rays of the morning sun.
There are several entrances, with different prices. We put "Tegalalang Instagram View Banjar Tangkup" into Google Maps and that's where we entered. As we arrived super early we didn't have to pay, but the price is usually 10k IDR. Then just follow the signs that say "trekking" and get lost in these beautiful rice fields.
Pura Tirta Empul
Pura Tirta Empul means Temple of the Sacred Water in Balinese and is a Hindu temple well known for the purification ritual that can be performed here.
There are a few things you should know before visiting this temple, such as men and women should wear a sarong, anyone with long hair should tie it up and menstruating women are not allowed in.
These waters are believed to have healing properties, which is why this temple is popular for purification rituals. Anyone can do this ritual, regardless of their religion. We chose to do it and it was an unforgettable experience.
To perform the ritual correctly, you must do it with one of the guides at the temple, who will explain the whole process and its meaning. There is no fixed cost, but these guides are volunteers, so you have to make a small donation.
The ritual takes around 30/40 minutes and we recommend that you go as early as possible to avoid the crowds.
Opening hours: Open every day from 8 am to 6 pm Price: 50k Sarong hire to perform the ritual: 10k |
Ubud Palace
Located right in the center of Ubud is the imposing Puri Salen Palace, also known as Ubud Palace, the residence of the royal family.
Admission is free and it's a great place to get to know the details of Balinese architecture.
Every night there is a traditional dance show for 100k, you can buy a ticket at the entrance to the palace where you're sure to find lots of people selling them.
Campuhan Ridge Walk
In Ubud, there are several trails you can take through the rice fields. The most popular is the Campuhan Ridge Walk, a 2-kilometre nature walk.
You can get here easily on foot from the center of Ubud. Admission is free and the best time to go is first thing in the morning or at sunset when it's cooler.
We went early in the morning and found lots of people exercising - it's a great way to start the day!
Ubud Art Market
The Ubud Art Market is a large street market spread throughout the streets of the center of Ubud. Here you'll find lots of stalls with souvenirs, handicrafts, and clothes, and it's undoubtedly the ideal place to buy Bali souvenirs.
Bargaining is imperative here! There are no prices on anything and usually the first price they offer you is double or more what you should accept! Negotiate several times until you reach a fair price for both parties.
Kanto Lampo Waterfall
Kanto Lampo is one of the waterfalls you can't miss when you visit the "Island of the Gods". The way this waterfall falls and its size make it one of the most visited waterfalls in Bali.
We arrived at around 7.30 am and there was hardly anyone there. To take a photo here you can ask someone else who is there (that's what we did, setting up the tripod is completely impossible) or ask one of the local boys who are there to help you take photos, they even suggest posing like a professional photographer (of course you have to give them a reward for all their effort in the end).
This waterfall is very beautiful and we recommend a visit, but unlike the other waterfalls, it's not the best for taking a dip.
Hours: 7 am - 6 pm Price: 20k IDR Difficulty: Easy Distance from the center of Ubud: 30 minutes |
Tibumana Waterfall
The Tibumana waterfall is 40 minutes from the center of Ubud. With its straight lines and constant flow, this waterfall impresses with its perfection.
Hours: 7 am - 6 pm Price: 20k IDR Difficulty: easy Distance from the center of Ubud: 40 minutes |
Leke Leke Waterfall
Located about an hour from the center of Ubud, this is one of the most famous waterfalls on the island. It was here that we took one of our favourite photos ever.
This waterfall looks like a sheet unfolding over the rock with lots of vegetation around it.
Like all the waterfalls in Bali, we recommend going as early as possible! This way you avoid the crowds and can better absorb this work of nature's art.
Hours: 7 am - 6 pm Price: 50k IDR Difficulty: easy Distance from the center of Ubud: 40 minutes |
Cretya Ubud
Cretya Ubud is one of the best-known dayclubs in Bali and it's easy to see why. With several infinity pools, a good atmosphere, and views of the rice fields, it's the ideal place to start or end a day.
Admission costs just 3€ and there is no minimum consumption requirement. The ticket also includes entry to Alas Harum where you can stroll through the rice fields, ride the swings, and have fun among the beautiful sculptures.
We went in the morning to avoid a lot of confusion because it gets very crowded throughout the day. If you want to enjoy this space all to yourself, you also have the option of booking a floating breakfast at 7 am and starting the day in the best way.
Mount Batur hike
One of the most unique experiences you can have in Bali is climbing Mount Batur to see the sunrise.
We started the hike at around 4 am and the climb was challenging! It took us about 1.5 hours to arrive and we were able to have breakfast while watching an unforgettable sunrise from the top of Mount Batur.
Bring walking shoes and suitable clothing, remember that it gets quite cold at the top. We booked this experience with GetYourGuide, with a transfer from Ubud included.
Silver Jewelry class
We all like to take home a souvenir of our travels, don't we? And there's nothing better than a souvenir made by you!
In Bali, you'll find several places where you can make your own silver jewelry.
We booked our lesson with GetYourGuide and made a unique souvenir for each of us. We made a pendant in the shape of a turtle and a ring, they look really nice and this way we have a unique souvenir of our time in Bali.
Taste local food
This should be common to every destination you visit. The food in Indonesia is great!
There's plenty to choose from, so don't be afraid and go to one of the many warungs (local businesses) to try a Nasi or Mie Goreng, a Gado-Gado, or a Chicken Satay! You won't regret it!
We recommend Warung Gauri and Ubud Warung, you'll be supporting local businesses and families this way.
Don't forget your travel insurance!
Traveling is an exciting experience, full of adventures and unforgettable moments. However, it is essential to be prepared for any unforeseen events during your trip. That's where travel insurance comes in, an indispensable ally to guarantee peace of mind and safety while exploring new destinations. The insurance we use is from IATI Seguros!
have
This has many types of travel insurance depending on your type of trip and different coverage. In addition, when purchasing insurance through our link, you are guaranteed a special 5% discount. Don't let unforeseen circumstances spoil your adventure!
Click here to get your discount.
Comentários